ok, so my question is, what's the benefit of an AWD car having a staggered set up?

Same benefit as a rwd or fwd car...

More tire = more grip, regardless of where the power goes. If a 255 would fit up front too, that would be great but it can't. So as long as the rolling diameter is close front to back, why not use as much tire as possible at each corner.

I'm running staggered 235/35 - 275/30 on 19's with my E92 Xi mostly for looks...I have noticed a bit less of a steering response and i'm still trying to figure out why. Even though my new tires grip extremely well in the turns...I have to turn the steering wheel more each direction to get a response than I had to running my stock 17 inch set-up (non-staggered). Maybe it's just the combo of running such an aggressive set-up with AWD?? If someone else could verify or help give me a reason why It takes a bit more turning of the wheel to steer and why the steering would be less responsive overall, I'd appreciate it.

~ Chris ~

(PS- Running this set-up brings the speedometer to a much more accurate reading, which is neat)

...I have noticed a bit less of a steering response and i'm still trying to figure out why. Even though my new tires grip extremely well in the turns...

What tires are you running?

Steering response is primarily a function of the sidewall stiffness of the tires, not the tread pattern or compound (reasons for good grip). The reason RFT's can run without air is that the sidewall can take the load/weight of the corner of the car rather than the entire tire contact patch ... that's seriously stiff. Non-RFT's, even low profiles, will have a more vague steering response due to more compliant sidewalls.

That said, my Falken's don't seem too much of a downgrade from the Conti's.

Yea..I'm running Falken 452's as well. Given the information you just provided...and that I have 19's with tinyyy sidewalls...that's probably the reason I'm getting somewhat of a Vague steering response. You probably don't notice it as much because you're on 18's with a much less agressive set-up. O well, at least they grip well and stand out a Lot. haha Thanks for the info. man.

I doubt it is just for look, the power distribution is 40/60 to help out the under steer feeling so I guess larger rear tire will help more for this too.

Check out the Porsche 911 turbo and lambos are awd and have staggered wheel setup ...

But I won't use staggered setup during winter for sure 205/50/17 is my setup

I guess you didn't recognize my sarcasm but do read the second portion of that sentence.

"And maybe a little bit more traction if you were really pushing it."

And correct me if I am wrong, but understeer is related to the front tires not tracking the intended direction of a turn. Whereas oversteer is when the rears slip outward in a turn. Seems a stagger with larger rear tires would improve the tendency to oversteer.

I guess you didn't recognize my sarcasm but do read the second portion of that sentence.

"And maybe a little bit more traction if you were really pushing it."

And correct me if I am wrong, but understeer is related to the front tires not tracking the intended direction of a turn. Whereas oversteer is when the rears slip outward in a turn. Seems a stagger with larger rear tires would improve the tendency to oversteer.